[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[April 1, 1992]
[Page 527]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 527]]

Message to the Senate Transmitting the Nigeria-United States Legal 
Assistance Treaty

April 1, 1992
To the Senate of the United States:
    With a view to receiving the advice and consent of the Senate to 
ratification, I transmit herewith the Treaty between the Government of 
the United States of America and the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 
Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, signed at Washington on 
September 13, 1989. I transmit also, for the information of the Senate, 
the report of the Department of State with respect to the treaty.
    The treaty is one of a series of modern mutual legal assistance 
treaties being negotiated by the United States in order to counter 
criminal activities more effectively. The treaty should be an effective 
tool to assist in the prosecution of a wide variety of modern criminals, 
including members of drug cartels, ``white collar criminals,'' and 
terrorists. The treaty is self-executing.
    The treaty provides for a broad range of cooperation in criminal 
matters. Mutual assistance available under the treaty includes: (1) the 
taking of testimony or statements of witnesses; (2) the provision of 
documents, records, and evidence; (3) the execution of requests for 
searches and seizures; (4) the serving of documents; and (5) the 
provision of assistance in proceedings relating to the forfeiture of the 
proceeds of crime, restitution to the victims of crime, and the 
collection of fines imposed as a sentence in a criminal prosecution.
    I recommend that the Senate give early and favorable consideration 
to the treaty and give its advice and consent to ratification.

                                                             George Bush

The White House,
April 1, 1992.